MORE than 1,000 laptops in Coventry are to be fitted with hi-tech tracking devices to beat computer thieves.

The technology will enable police to trace laptops which have been stolen and delete sensitive information remotely.

The new devices have already been used in Birmingham and have led to the arrest of two men on suspicion of handling stolen goods.

A stolen laptop, which had been fitted with the tracking device, was found by West Midlands Police officers and led to the discovery of 30 more laptops which police believe had been stolen.

The computer has since been returned to its owner - a student at Birmingham University.

The success has led to a trial of the system in Coventry. The devices will be installed free of charge and the laptops will be selected through Coventry University.

Acting Detective Sergeant Alan Teague, of West Midlands Police, said: "These first arrests, as a result of this technology, send a clear warning to potential offenders - we have the capability to track stolen computers, follow them to your location and make an arrest. If you steal a laptop embedded with this system, we will find you.

"This latest activity also led to the discovery of what is believed to be 30 other stolen computers, which we are in the process of trying to identify so we can also return these valuable items to their rightful owners."

The scheme in Coventry is expected to start this month and the devices will be installed at no cost to the laptop owners.

Andrea Clemons, of Coventry's Community Safety Team, said: "The Computrace scheme with laptop computers has proved to be a real success in Birmingham which has led us to trial it in Coventry.

"We have specifically targeted certain areas of the city and with university students in particular, and at the same time, we have used the opportunity to promote other domestic security and personal safety advice."